Axios
America is in a race to vaccinate before variants overwhelm us
Based on Axios’ live Coronavirus Variant Tracker. Data: CDC/Axios Research/GISAID; Graphic: Will Chase/Axios; Illustration: Brendan Lynch/AxiosAmerica is in a race to vaccinate people before the country is overwhelmed by variants that are spurring a fourth wave of COVID-19.Why it matters: Spring is here, and when cases were dropping, hope was rising for a more normal summer. But experts warn this will only happen if people keep social distancing, wearing masks and getting vaccinated as soon as they can.Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeState of play: Growing evidence shows the three authorized vaccines currently offer protection against the variants, Larry Luchsinger, assistant member of the nonprofit New York Blood Center, tells Axios.But Luchsinger and several other experts warn vaccinations must speed up in the U.S. and globally before a more serious variant pops up that renders the first generation of vaccines ineffective.Experts aren’t the only ones worried: A recent Harris poll finds a majority of Americans from all political parties are either “somewhat” or “very” concerned about the variants.Data: GISAID; Chart: Will Chase/AxiosWhat’s happening: Viruses constantly mutate, mostly without public health impact unless the changes converge on a trait that is advantageous to the virus. For the most part, those changes haven’t made a big…
